There’s so much to experience in Nassau, Bahamas. Nassau is filled with beaches, museums, shops, restaurants, and so much more. But because when traveling by cruise, there’s a time limit, exploring a place with a lot to do can be pressuring. I went to Nassau, Bahamas on a Carnival cruise and had about a good 7 hours to explore. But with only 7 hours, I was able to cover a lot of ground, and still have some time to relax. Here are 9 fun and easy things to do in Nassau on a cruise stop.
- Arawak Cay
- Ardastra Gardens & Wildlife Conservation Centre
- Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas
- Bahamas Rum Cake Factory
- Fort Fincastle
- Parliament Square
- Pirates of Nassau Museum
- Pompey Square
- Queens Staircase
- Straw Market
Arawak Cay
Arawak Cay also known as Fish Fry is about a 10 minute drive or a 50 minute walk from Nassau cruise port. It’s a vibrant cultural and culinary hotspot in Nassau, Bahamas. This lively strip is known for its authentic Bahamian seafood, colorful local restaurants, and laid-back island vibes. I was even able to find a couple of restaurants that had vegan options.
Ardastra Gardens & Wildlife Conservation Centre
Ardastra Gardens & Wildlife Conservation Centre is a great place to go to see animals as well as relax. You can take your time strolling through the garden. There are also 3 flamingo shows daily, where you’ll get to see them up close and even get some photos with them.
Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas
Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas os a oceanside resort located on Paradise Island. It’s about a 5 minute drive or 50 minite walk from the Nassau cruise port. In order to access most of the attractions at Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas, you will need a day pass, which is $255. The day pass allows access to the Aquaventure water park slides and attractions, marine habitats, resort pools, and 5 miles of pristine beaches.
Bahamas Rum Cake Factory
The Bahamas Rum Cake Factory is about a 15 minute walk from the cruise port. The Rum Cake Factory produces bundt rum cakes in a variety of flavors. Such as pineapple, pina colada, coconut, banana, red velvet, chocolate, key lime, cinnamon, and more.
Fort Fincastle
Fort Fincastle is located in Downtown Nassau, and was built to protect Nassau from pirates. There are a couple of ways to get to Fort Fincastle. One way is on Elisabeth Avenue which is accessed via climbing the Queen’s Staircase. Another way is on East Street, which allows you to avoid climbing the Queen’s Staircase.
Parliament Square
Parliament Square is a historic landmark in Downtown Nassau, located about a 10 minute walk from the Nassau cruise port. The square is home to the pink colored, colonial style government buildings, including the House of Assembly, the Senate, and the Supreme Court.
Pirates of Nassau Museum
The Pirates of Nassau is a self guided walking through museum, that offers interactive exhibits, life sized pirate models, a full sized ship, and a gift shop. It’s located about a 10 minute walk from the Nassau cruise port. This museum is great to put on your list of things to do in Nassau. No reservations are required to enter, you can buy tickets onsite. You will also immerse yourself into the lives and times of piracy in Nassau.
Pompey Square
Pompey Square is a historical and cultural landmark located about a 10 – 15 minute walk from the cruise port. It’s a local park with benches, and the center for community events. There are a variety of things to check out at Pompey Square, such as the Pompey Slavery Museum, restaurants, bars, and a shopping mall.
Queen’s Staircase
Queen’s staircase is a historic landmark located at the Fort Fincastle Historic Complex, which is about a 14 minute walk from the cruise port. It was carved out of solid limestone rock by enslaved laborers and named in honor of Queen Victoria, who played a role in abolishing slavery in the British Empire. As one of Nassau’s most visited attractions, the Queen’s Staircase was originally built to provide British soldiers a shortcut and a protected route to Fort Fincastle.
Straw Market
The Nassau Straw Market is a lively and bustling market located on Bay Street Nassau. It’s about a 10 minute walk from the cruise port. This vibrant market is the perfect spot to shop for authentic Bahamian crafts and souvenirs, offering a wide variety of handmade goods. Vendors sell beautifully woven straw hats, bags, and dolls, along with colorful magnets, keychains, t-shirts, intricate wood carvings, stunning conch shell jewelry, and more. The market provides a great opportunity to support local artisans while bringing home a unique piece of Bahamian culture.
For more posts about the Bahamas, click Bahamas.
Leave a comment